Louise Grady: May 29, 1932 – August 20, 2024

Louise Margueritte Grady, age 92, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on August 30, 2024, with loved ones by her bedside.

Louise was born to John Riley and Maude Margaret (Wimmer) Phipps, the 15th of 16 children. She was born and raised in Hutchinson, Kansas. At the age of 16, Louise married her sweetheart, Russell E. Robinson. Just 3 years later she became a widow, left with a toddler, Richard, and pregnant with their second child, named Russell for his father.

In 1952 at a roller-skating rink, she met Junior W. Grady, a Navy sailor who took her hand and didn’t let go, and they were married the following year. Together they had 2 more children, Jack and Rebecca, and spent 55 years of marriage together.

As a military wife, Louise relocated frequently with Junior, making lifelong friends over the years. While serving in The Philippines, they actively participated in the Overseas Christian Servicemen’s Center, learning and growing in their faith and desire to serve. They adopted this ministry and made it a part of their lives wherever they went. Louise made her home a warm and welcoming place to many service men and women, feeding them both physically and spiritually, providing a home away from home. She had a true gift of hospitality that was a blessing to many single people and families alike.

Some of the other duty stations included Kingsville, TX, Millington, TN, Oak Harbor, WA, San Diego, CA, China Lake, CA, and Long Beach, CA. They eventually returned to Oak Harbor, where Junior finished his military career.

During their first tour in Oak Harbor, Junior and Louise were instrumental in founding the Oak Harbor Assembly of God Church. Louise actually provided the $1 to buy the building from the city, which had served as the city hall, library and school, so it could be moved to its present-day site.

Louise showed love and acceptance to everyone she met. She has a very tender heart toward babies, children, and the elderly (and also little animals!). She had a sympathetic and listening ear to anyone hurting or in need. She served constantly in many roles in her church. She taught Sunday school, led the women’s ministry for many years, was the Sunday school superintendent, and Church treasurer, and held services at the retirement home on Sundays, as well as visiting shut ins, bringing joy and the love of Jesus to so many.

Louise was a devoted Christian who prayed fervently for her children and grandchildren, whom she loved very much. She desired more than anything that each would know Jesus personally. Louise led many to Jesus and discipled even more in the faith. Her family knows she now rests in the arms of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, who welcomed her into everlasting life with the words, “Well, done, good and faithful servant.”

Louise was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, her first husband Russell E. Robinson, and her husband, Junior W. Grady, two in law children, Armand (Skip) LeMay, and Mary Grady, two preborn grandsons Andrew and Anthony LeMay, and her grandson Marcus Robinson.

She leaves behind her four children, Richard, Russell, Jack and Rebecca, her nine grandchildren, Vonda (Boe) Kenner, Cheryl Grady, Jade Grady, Christopher (Natalie), Elizabeth (Seth) Kettlewell, Nathan LeMay, Megan LeMay, Orasa Thajai and Caleb Robinson, and their families, which include 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Other family members include Jerene Robinson and Chanchira Harrison.

A service will be held December 6th from 2-5 pm at Wallin Stucky Funeral Home.